Category: Politics & Economy

Treasury yields were mixed on Friday in holiday-thinned trade as U.S. government paper looked to end at levels close to where they had started this year. The 10-year Treasury yield was mostly flat at 2.429%, from 2.432% on late Friday. The benchmark maturity began the year at 2.45%. The 2-year note yield ticked lower to

The U.S. goods trade deficit widened by 2.3% in November to $69.7 billion, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Commerce produces an “advance trade” deficit report that offers an early look on trade patterns during the month. The number reported Thursday was bigger than the $68.7 billion deficit consensus forecast. Exports rose a seasonally adjusted 3%

Initial U.S. jobless claims, a tool to measure layoffs, were unchanged at 245,000 in the seven days ended December 23. Economists surveyed had forecast claims to total 239,000. The more stable monthly average of claims rose slightly, up 1,750 to 237,750, the government said Thursday. The number of people already collecting unemployment benefits, known as

Pending home sales ticked up 0.2% in November, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday. NAR’s pending-home sales index tracks real estate transactions in which a contract has been signed, but the deal has not yet been closed. November’s increase missed the consensus forecast of a 0.5% monthly gain from economists surveyed. The index reading

New-home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 733,000 in November, the Commerce Department said Friday. Sales of newly-constructed homes throttled past expectations as the housing recovery picked up steam. November’s number was 17.5% above a downwardly-revised October and 16% higher than a year ago. That easily beat the consensus of a 658,000

The University of Michigan reported consumer sentiment continued to drift lower in December The final reading of its consumer sentiment index was 95.9 versus November’s 98.5 The preliminary reading was 96.8, and economists polled by expected a revised reading of 97.1. This is the lowest reading since September.

New-home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 733,000 in November, the Commerce Department said Friday. Sales of newly-constructed homes throttled past expectations as the housing recovery picked up steam. November’s number was 17.5% above a downwardly-revised October and 16% higher than a year ago. That easily beat the consensus of a 658,000 selling

Durable-goods orders rose 1.3% in November, below the forecast of a 2% gain. The gain was powered by civilian aircraft orders. Excluding transportation, orders fell 0.1%, the government said. Business investment slipped 0.1% in November after four monthly gains, based on a closely followed measure known as core capital goods orders. These orders have climbed

Consumer spending jumped in November, as Americans spent their savings on nondurable goods and services. Outlays rose a seasonally adjusted 0.6% last month, while personal incomes climbed 0.3%, the Commerce Department said Friday. Economists polled had forecast 0.5% increase in spending and a 0.4% gain in incomes. The amount of money individuals save in November

Orders for durable, or long-lasting, goods rose 1.3% in November after a 0.4% drop in the prior month, the Commerce Department said Friday. This is the third rise in durable-goods orders in the past four months. Economists had forecast a 2% gain. The increase was powered by commercial aircraft orders. Excluding transportation, orders fell 0.1%